Christmas Traditions

Christmas is definitely one of our favorite times of the year, and over the years, we've developed lots of family traditions and created new ones. I thought I'd share some of our family's traditions, and I'd love to know some of yours too. And, if you're looking for new ones in your family, feel free to borrow some of ours. 

Chex Mix

DJ loves making Chex Mix during the holiday season. He has a family recipe that was passed down so we make it a couple of times between Thanksgiving and Christmas. 

Seeing Santa

We usually visit Santa at The Bass Pro Shop when we go to Branson, but of course, we don't get to kick off the Christmas season every year in Branson, but we've always seemed to live near a Bass Pro, so that's the Santa we visit. We like them, because you can get a free picture :) And, we almost always wear Christmas pajamas to see Santa.

PJ Christmas Light Night

Each year we choose one night to throw on Christmas jammies, get cookies and hot cocoa and drive around and look at Christmas lights. 

Baking Cookies for Santa

Santa gets homemade chocolate chip cookies at our house every year, unless we're at a bowl game and in that case, Santa gets whatever sweet treats we can find. Christmas Eve day we usually spend some time baking cookies, and we always use the recipe from the kitchen aid cookbook. 

Happy Birthday Jesus

My mom loves throwing a birthday party for Jesus. We don't do this every year, but when my mom gets a chance, she has a birthday party for Jesus with the girls. They sing Happy Birthday and eat cake or cupcakes and blow out the candle for Him. 

School Christmas Parties

Of course we love celebrating with holiday parties at school. 

Chocolate Covered Potato Chips

I grew up making these and we love them during the holiday season. Again, this isn't something we make every year, but they're super easy. Just melt chocolate almond bark and dip Ruffles potato chips in, and let them dry. Easy peasy, and they'd be a cute gift for a postal worker, school helper, etc. 

Christmas Advent Countdown

A few years ago, I purchased these little advent bags, and each year, I fill them with a little activity for us to do every day before Christmas.  Some days will tell the girls about their Christmas PJ Light Night, wrap presents, or other days, there are some simple things like- be nice to your sisters, or do a random act of kindness, pray for a friend, etc. 

North Pole Breakfast

Christmas Eve morning, the girls wake up to a North Pole breakfast. It's the way our elves say good-bye to the girls each year. There's usually doughnuts, muffins, fruit, and hot cocoa with some activities for the girls to do on Christmas Eve day to help the time pass faster. 

Hugging Elves

Before the girls go to bed on Christmas Eve, they always get to hug our elves good bye. See, the elves don't need their magic to fly back to the North Pole. They just hop in Santa's bag and fly back with him. 

Catching Santa

You can download apps on your phone to "catch Santa" in the act. 

Christmas Decorating/Ugly Sweater Party

Last year we hosted our first ugly sweater party and decorated cookies with friends. We decided to not host this year, but we did have a fun Christmas party with friends instead. 

Reindeer Food

We sprinkle reindeer food in the yard for the reindeer to eat while Santa is leaving presents. We usually make this on Christmas Eve, and it's super easy. Oatmeal, sprinkles, glitter- mix it up and sprinkle all over the yard. 

Those are a few of our favorite traditions.... what are some of yours?